Breaking Down Dustin Johnson's Season-Opening Win at Kapalua

Dustin Johnson, despite a few questionable decisions on the closing nine, made relatively light work of the Plantation Course over the three-round, weather-shortened Tournament of Champions.

Much has been written about Johnson donning the lei and lifting the trophy on Tuesday (strange to write that); however, here are a few additional morsels of information breaking down the South Carolinian’s victory.

He Tried to Give It Away on the Back Nine...

A victory that Johnson called, “Nowhere near ho-hum” nearly didn’t happen after Johnson made a mess of the 13th hole, which resulted in a double bogey and cut his lead over Steve Stricker to one shot.

For as foolish as the decision to bomb a driver on the short par-four 14th looked coming off his performance at the previous hole, no one can dispute the result: a drive landing just short of the green, which Johnson proceeded to pitch in for an eagle two, effectively sealing the tournament.

Johnson Joins Mickelson and Woods

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Now with a PGA Tour victory in each of his six seasons since joining the tour, Dustin Johnson has joined the only other player to accomplish the same feat: Tiger Woods

If this weren’t distinguished enough company, the Coastal Carolina University grad joined Phil Mickelsonwith his victory, “winning at least one event in six consecutive years.” Mickelson, for his part has won an event in nine straight seasons, so Johnson has something to which he can aspire.

Speculation Abounds About Paulina Gretzky

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As Alan Shipnuck of Sports Illustratedreported, “Needing to break in new irons and a new driver, Johnson arrived early and played six practice rounds. (That also allowed him to spend some quality time with his new squeeze Paulina Gretzky.”

For his part, Johnson hasn’t confirmed the rumors. Gretzky is, at very least, a very devoted Dustin Johnson fan, as she followed him throughout the tournament.

However, as Bleacher Report’s Gabe Zaldivar notes, Hawaii is “a locale that makes it incredibly easy to be more than friendly.” Thus, golf fans will have to see what happens with the (unofficial) couple once the West Coast Swing begins.